Self-locking gift boxes with decorative closure

ABSTRACT

A self-locking gift box is disclosed, which includes a decorative element incorporated in the box closure. The unique box closure is adaptable to numerous shapes and sizes of gift boxes having a rectangular opening. The closure incorporates a pair of slotted and opposed, interlocking closure flaps, each of which has a decorative end portion. For one embodiment of the invention, the end portions are shaped so that, together, they form a generally circular bow-like pattern. The end portions may be printed with the image of a bow to enhance the effect. Additionally, the end portions can be die cut to provide multiple tabs, each of which can be bent upwardly to enhance the three-dimensional effect. For another embodiment, the end portions are shaped so that each includes one or more hearts. Other comparable patterns and designs are also contemplated. For still another embodiment of the invention, the end portions of the closure flaps may comprise multiple paperboard layers, at least one of which is die cut to provide bend-up patterns, designs or scenes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] This invention relates generally to gift-wrapped packages and, in particular to self-locking package having decorative closures.

[0003] 2. Description of Related Art

[0004] The wrapping of gifts often consumes more time than the purchase of the gifts, themselves. It has become a social expectation that gifts be personally wrapped. For many busy, active people, taking time to wrap a gift is about the last thing they would choose to do. Hence, the delivery of unwrapped gifts has become increasingly common. However, there is a perception on the part of many gift recipients that failure to wrap a gift demonstrates a lack of consideration and caring on the part of the gift giver. Such a perception is exactly the opposite of the sentiment sought to be conveyed.

[0005] There are alternatives available to the moneyed elite. For example, a gift-wrapping service may be employed. However, the use of such a service not only requires a substantial additional outlay, but requires time-consuming coordination of the process. An even more costly alternative is to purchase a gift in combination with a wrapping service. For the majority of people, such alternatives represent unwise use of resources.

[0006] Specially constructed, quickly-assemblable gift boxes are well known in the art. Many are equipped with a decorative design that emulates gift wrapping paper. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,558,272 to Magister discloses an octagonal container, manufactured from paperboard, having a novel closure which forms a multiplanar decorative element. Other examples of a gift boxes having unique, somewhat decorative, closures are found in U.S. Pat. No. D362,619 to Haas and in U.S. Pat. No. 4,850,528 to Hanus. Other examples of pre-wrapped gift boxes are U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,836,508; 5,826,402; 5,740,959; 5,584,429; 5,245,815, all to Savage; U.S. Pat. No. 5,294,040 to Choen et al.; U.S. Pat. No. D270,042 to Fisher, U.S. Pat. No. 4,809,907 to Langer; and U.S. Pat. No. 1,020,878 to Bendelari.

[0007] Though some of the referenced patents include gift boxes which are relatively attractive when assembled, few, if any of them, are as presentable as a standard package that has been wrapped with wrapping paper, tied with ribbon and crowned with a bow.

[0008] What is needed is a rapidly assemblable gift box having an improved appearance that includes a decorative element incorporated in the box closure, which serves as a reasonable substitute for a bow.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The present invention fulfills the need, expressed in the background section, by providing a rapidly assemblable gift box that includes one or more decorative elements incorporated in the box closure. The unique box closure is adaptable to numerous shapes and sizes of gift boxes having a closable rectangular opening. The closure incorporates a pair of slotted and opposed, interlocking closure flaps, each of which has a decorative end portion. For one embodiment of the invention, the end portions are shaped so that, together, they form a generally circular bow-like pattern. The end portions may be printed with the image of a bow to enhance the effect. Additionally, the end portions can be die cut to provide multiple tabs, each of which can be bent upwardly to enhance the three-dimensional effect. For another embodiment, the end portions are shaped so that each includes one or more hearts. Other comparable patterns and designs are also contemplated. For still another embodiment of the invention, the end portions of the closure flaps may comprise multiple paperboard layers, at least one of which is die cut to provide bend-up patterns, designs or scenes.

[0010] In order to further enhance the three-dimensional effect of the mated end portions, the flaps, to which the end portions are attached, may be dimensioned so that they are somewhat wider than one half the distance across the box opening, taken in a direction perpendicular to the fold lines of the interlocking flaps. This feature causes the end portions of the interlocking flaps to be upwardly angled and imparts a gabled appearance to the box closure. It also ensures adequate play when the interlocking flaps are mated together during assembly so that the slots in the flaps do not tear.

[0011] The invention may be incorporated in shirt boxes, cubic, rectangular and truncated pyramidal boxes having either square or rectangular bases. The exterior surfaces of the boxes may also be printed with a pattern that emulates wrapping paper. The boxes may be of nearly any type, including auto-bottom-type boxes, partially-assembled fold-flat boxes, boxes employing assembly tabs, and many other types known in the field of box design and manufacture.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012]FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a first planar die-cut paperboard blank, which can be assembled to form a cubic gift box incorporating the invention;

[0013]FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a second planar die-cut paperboard blank, which can be assembled to form a truncated, inverted, pyramidal gift box incorporating the invention;

[0014]FIG. 3 is a top plan view of a third planar die-cut paperboard blank, which can be assembled to form a wine-bottle gift box incorporating the invention; and

[0015]FIG. 4 is a top plan view of a fourth planar die-cut paperboard blank, which can be assembled to form a shirt box incorporating the invention;

[0016]FIG. 5 is an isometric view of the fully assembled cubic gift box of FIG. 1;

[0017]FIG. 6 is an isometric view of the fully assembled truncated, inverted, pyramidal section gift box of FIG. 7;

[0018]FIG. 7 is an isometric view of the fully assembled wine-bottle gift box of FIG. 3;

[0019]FIG. 8 is an isometric view of the fully assembled shirt box of FIG. 4;

[0020]FIG. 9 is a top plan view of a pair of closure flaps, each of which has a decorative portion shaped like half a looped ribbon bow; and

[0021]FIG. 10 is a top plan view of a pair of closure flaps, each of which has a decorative portion which includes multiple paperboard layers, with the uppermost layer having been die cut so that an included image, pattern or scene may be folded upwardly.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0022] The focus of the present invention is a unique box closure incorporating decorative elements in the box closure. The unique box closure is adaptable to numerous shapes and sizes of rapidly-assemblable gift boxes having a closable opening with two parallel opposed sides. Boxes having both square and rectangular openings fit this criteria, as do boxes having an opening in the shape of a regular polygon with an even number of sides. The invention is even applicable to boxes having irregularly openings, as long as there are two parallel sides.

[0023] The invention will be described in reference to the attached drawings figures, which show the invention as being incorporated into boxes of various different designs. It should be noted that broken lines indicate fold lines, while solid lines indicate either die-cut slits or the perimeter of the blank. In order to decrease the probability that a slit will tear at the end or ends thereof, the end of each slit has been radiused to distribute a tearing force over a larger area. This is a technique that is used to stop the propagation of cracks in glass, hard plastic sheets, sheet metal, and metal castings. It should be noted that the assembled boxes do not show the layers of paperboard as a multi-dimensional object, as the line width required to make the drawings acceptable is about as thick as the preferred thickness of paperboard.

[0024] Referring now to FIG. 1, a first die-cut paperboard blank 100, which can be assembled to form a cubic gift box incorporating the invention, is shown. The bottom of the box is formed by panel 101 and the sides by square panels 102A, 102B, 102C and 102D. The opposed square side panels 102A and 102C incorporate a pair of auxiliary side flaps 103, which provide additional rigidity to the box and can be optionally bonded to the adjacent square side panels 102B or 102D during assembly by the consumer. The blank 100 incorporates four assembly slits 104A, 104B, 104C, and 104D, each of which is bounded at both ends by a tear-reduction radiused punching 105. During assembly of the first paperboard blank 100, the four assembly slits 104A-104D respectively receive assembly tabs 106A, 106B, 106C and 106D. For this particular box, all folds are made in a downward direction. The blank 100 also incorporates a pair of primary closure flaps 107A and 107B and a pair of secondary closure flaps 108A and 108B. Each of the primary closure flaps 107A and 107B incorporates a closure slit 109A and 109B, respectively. Likewise, each of the secondary closure flaps 108A and 108B incorporates a closure slit 110A and 110B, respectively. The primary closure flaps 107A and 107B are the focus of the present invention, as each incorporates both an inner closure portion 111 and an outer decorative portion 112. For this particular embodiment, each decorative portion 112 incorporates a decorative design which consists of a trio of hearts 113, which may be either printed on the outer decorative portion 112 or adhesively or mechanically bonded thereto.

[0025] Referring now to FIG. 2, a second die-cut paperboard blank 200, which can be assembled to form a truncated, inverted, pyramidal gift box incorporating the invention, is shown. As with the die-cut blank 100 of FIG. 1, all folds for the blank 200 are made in a downward direction. The bottom of the box is formed by panel 201 and the sides by trapezoidal panels 202A, 202B, 202C and 202D. The opposed trapezoidal panels 202A and 202C incorporate a pair of auxiliary side flaps 203, which provide additional rigidity to the box and can be optionally bonded to the adjacent trapezoidal panels 202B or 202D during assembly by the consumer. The blank 200 incorporates a pair of primary closure flaps 204A and 204B and a pair of secondary closure flaps 205A and 205B. Each of the primary closure flaps 204A and 204B incorporates a closure slit 206A and 206B, respectively. Likewise, each of the secondary closure flaps 205A and 205B incorporates a closure slit 207A and 207B, respectively. The primary closure flaps 204A and 204B are the focus of the present invention, as each incorporates both an inner closure portion 208 and an outer decorative portion 209. For this particular embodiment, each decorative portion 209 incorporates a decorative design which consists of a pair of joined ¾-circle patterns, which may be either printed on the outer decorative portion 209 or adhesively or mechanically bonded thereto so as to provide the appearance of a decorative bow.

[0026] Referring now to FIG. 3, a third die-cut paperboard blank 300, which can be assembled to form a wine-bottle gift box incorporating the invention, is shown. This box, which features an automatically-forming bottom, is shipped to consumers partially assembled. The box bottom is formed from two types of folding tabs: two irregularly shaped tabs 301A and 301B and two trapezoidal tabs 302A and 302B. Each of the irregularly-shaped tabs 301A and 301B comprises a major portion 301A-M, 301 B-M and a lesser portion 301A-L, 301 B-L. The underside of each lesser portion 301A-L, 301 B-L is adhesively bonded to the upperside of the adjacent trapezoidal tab during the manufacturing process. Thus, 301A-L is bonded to 302A, and 301B-L is bonded to 302B. Likewise, the upperside of trapezoidal longitudinal edge 303 is adhesively bonded to the underside of the opposite longitudinal edge 304. The sides of the wine bottle box are formed by panels 305A, 305B, 305C and 305D. The closure at the top of the box is formed by a pair of opposed, non-interlocking secondary closure flaps 306A and 306B and a pair of interlocking primary closure flaps 307A and 307B. Each of the primary flaps 307A and 307B incorporates a closure slit 308A and 308B, respectively. In addition, each of the primary flaps 307A and 307B incorporates both an inner closure portion 309 and an outer decorative portion 310. For this particular embodiment, each decorative portion 310 incorporates a decorative design which consists of a pair of adjacent and joined hearts, which may be either printed on the outer decorative portion 310 or adhesively or mechanically bonded thereto.

[0027] Referring now to FIG. 4, a fourth die-cut paperboard blank 400, which can be assembled to form a shirt gift box incorporating the invention, is shown. This box is also shipped to consumers partially assembled. The bottom of the box is formed by panel 401 and the sides by rectangular panels 402A, 402B, 402C and 402D. Each of the opposed rectangular side panels 402A and 402C incorporates a pair of auxiliary side flaps 403, each of which is adhesively bonded to the adjacent rectangular side panels 402B or 402D during manufacture. For a preferred embodiment, the upperside of each auxiliary flap 403 is bonded to the underside of either side panel 402B or 402D. The fold lines 404 and the cut lines 405 on rectangular side panels 402B and 402D permit the partially-assembled box to be folded flat during shipment and display. All folds, except for fold lines 404 are downward folds. The closure at the top of the box is formed by a pair of opposed, interlocking secondary closure flaps 406A and 406B and a pair of interlocking primary closure flaps 407A and 407B. Each of the secondary flaps 406A and 406B incorporates a closure slit 408A and 408B, respectively, while each of the primary closure flaps 407A and 407B incorporates a closure slit 409A and 409B, respectively. In addition, each of the primary flaps 407A and 407B incorporates both an inner closure portion 410 and an outer decorative portion 411. For this particular embodiment, each decorative portion 411 incorporates a decorative design which consists of six adjacent and joined hearts 412, which may be either printed on the outer decorative portion 411 or adhesively or mechanically bonded thereto.

[0028]FIGS. 5, 6, 7 and 8 show the completed gift boxes 500, 600, 700 and 800 assembled from blanks 100, 200, 300 and 400, respectively. It will be noted that each box has a decorative design 501, 601, 701 and 801. Each decorative design 501, 601, 701, and 801 is a composite of the decorative portions of both primary closure flaps. It will also be noted that, as is the case with gift boxes 500, 600, and 700, when the closure portion of each primary closure flap is wider than one half the width of the box opening, the primary closure flaps form a gabled box top, which imparts a three-dimensional appearance to the decorative designs 501, 601 and 701.

[0029]FIG. 9 shows a pair of closure flaps 900A and 900B, each of which has a decorative portion 901 that is shaped like half a looped ribbon bow. When the two closure flaps 900A and 900B are interlocked together, a full circular bow results. Each decorative portion 901 includes die-cut sub-portions 902, which may be bent upwardly or downwardly to provide an enhanced three-dimensional effect.

[0030] Referring now to FIG. 10, a pair of closure flaps 1000A and 1000B are shown, each of which has a decorative portion 1001A and 1001B, respectively. Each decorative portion includes multiple laminated paperboard layers. The upper most layer has been die cut at lines 1002A and 1002B around an image 1003A and 1003B so that the image may be folded up at lines 1004A and 1004B, respectively, so that it is generally perpendicular to the flap. The fold-up images may be patterns, designs or scenes.

[0031] Although only several embodiments of the method for atomizing solid chlorpropham and several embodiments of apparatus which may be utilized to implement the atomization methods are disclosed herein, it will be obvious to those having ordinary skill in the art that changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the scope and the spirit of the invention as hereinafter claimed. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A gift box comprising: a rectangular opening; a pair of slotted, interlockable flaps, each flap bendably attached to opposite sides of said opening at a fold line, each flap having a closure portion and a decorative end portion, such that when the flaps are interlocked, a closure is formed over said opening, as is a decorative pattern which overlies said closure portions.
 2. The gift box of claim 1, wherein said decorative end portion includes die-cut sub-portions, which may be bent upwardly or downwardly to provide an enhanced three-dimensional effect.
 3. The gift box of claim 1, wherein each decorative end portion has, from a top planar perspective, the shape of a bow.
 4. The gift box of claim 1, wherein each decorative end portion includes, from a top planar perspective, at least one heart-shaped element.
 5. The gift box of claim 1, wherein at least one end portion comprises multiple paperboard layers, at least one of which is die cut to provide bend-up patterns, designs or scenes.
 6. The gift box of claim 1, wherein each decorative end portion includes a printed design.
 7. The gift box of claim 1, wherein each closure portion is dimensioned to be somewhat wider than one half the distance across said rectangular opening, taken in a direction perpendicular to the fold lines of the interlocking flaps.
 8. The gift box of claim 7, wherein said closure portions assume a gabled configuration, and said decorative end portions are upwardly angled when said flaps are interlocked to close the box.
 9. The box of claim 7, wherein said wider dimensioning ensures adequate play when the interlocking flaps are mated together during assembly so that the slots in the flaps do not tear.
 10. A flat-foldable, ready-to-assemble paperboard gift box comprising: a container portion having a rectangular opening; a pair of slotted, interlockable flaps, each flap bendably attached to opposite sides of said opening at a fold line, each flap having a closure portion and a decorative end portion, such that when said flaps are interlocked, both a closure over said opening, and a decorative pattern overlying said closure portions which constitute the closure, are formed.
 11. The gift box of claim 10, wherein said decorative end portion includes die-cut sub-portions, which may be bent upwardly or downwardly to provide an enhanced three-dimensional effect
 12. The gift box of claim 10, wherein each decorative end portion has, from a top planar perspective, the shape and color printed form of a bow.
 13. The gift box of claim 10, wherein each decorative end portion includes, from a top planar perspective, the shape and color-printed form of at least one heart-shaped element.
 14. The gift box of claim 10, wherein at least one end portion comprises multiple paperboard layers, at least one of which is color printed and die cut to provide bend-up patterns, designs or scenes.
 15. The gift box of claim 10, wherein each closure portion is dimensioned to be somewhat wider than one half the distance across said rectangular opening, taken in a direction perpendicular to the fold lines of the interlocking flaps.
 16. The gift box of claim 15, wherein said closure portions assume a gabled configuration, and said decorative end portions are upwardly angled when said flaps are interlocked to close the box.
 17. The box of claim 15, wherein said wider dimensioning ensures adequate play when the interlocking flaps are mated together during assembly so that the slots in the flaps do not tear.
 18. The box of claim 10, which further includes an auto-bottom feature.
 19. The box of claim 10, which is partially assembled, yet flat foldable for shipment and display.
 20. A flat-foldable, ready-to-assemble paperboard gift box comprising: a container portion having an opening having at least two parallel opposed sides; a pair of slotted, interlockable flaps, each flap bendably attached to a pair of parallel opposed sides of said opening at a fold line, each flap having a closure portion and a decorative end portion, such that when said flaps are interlocked, both a closure over said opening, and a decorative pattern overlying said closure portions which constitute the closure, are formed. 